Covid-19 a pandemic disease that can spread from one person to another. It is a virus that was discovered in December 2019. In Pakistan first case of the coronavirus was reported on 26 February 2020. Covid-19 is a worldwide disease.
What is Covid-19?
In December, 2019 It was first traced from a food market in Wuhan, China. After that it was reported from the other countries such as the United States and the Philippines.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by coronavirus. Most people experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and they can recover without any special treatment.
People who are older and who have medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.
One can prevent transmission by following preventive measures. Such as by washing hands or using sanitizer and not touching the face.
This virus can be spread through saliva, coughs, and sneezing of infect people. It can be spread from one person to the other.
The SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for billions of infections, causing thousands of deaths globally.
Symptoms of Covid-19
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most patients develop mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without hospitalization.
Common symptoms of Covid-19
- fever.
- dry cough.
- diarrhea.
- tiredness.
- aches and pains.
- sore throat.
- headache.
- loss of smell and taste
- rashes on the skin
Serious symptoms of Covid-19
- shortness of breathing
- chest pressure and pain
- loss of movement and speech
People who are healthy and have mild symptoms, should manage their symptoms easily at home. Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms of coronavirus. Usually it takes 5 to 6 days for symptoms to show, otherwise it can take up to 14 days.
Causes of Covid-19
This virus can first develop in animals before being transmitted to humans. When the person comes into close contact with an animal that carries the infection, then the virus is transmitted to humans.
Once the virus develops in people, coronaviruses can be transmit from person to person through cough and sneeze, etc. You can also acquire SARS-CoV-2 by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
However, the 2019 coronavirus hasn’t been linked to an animal. But researchers believe that maybe the virus passed from bats to another animal such as pangolins or snakes etc.
After that, it can be transmitted to humans. This transmission of the virus occurred in the food market in Wuhan,China.
Who’s at increased risk?
The person is at high risk if he comes into contact with someone who’s carrying the coronavirus, especially exposed to their saliva, coughed, or sneezed.
Older adults and people with certain health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, sickle cell disease, diabetes, etc have a higher risk for severe complications if they contract the virus.
Pregnant women have a higher risk of complications. The virus does not transmit from mother to child during pregnancy but the newborn is able to contract the virus after their birth.
Diagnosis of Coronavirus
Covid-19 can be diagnose by blood, saliva, or tissue sample. However, cotton swabs are mostly use to retrieve a sample from the inside of nostrils.
Using the cotton swab provided, one can collect a nasal sample and send it to the laboratory for testing.
Talk to your doctor if you feel symptoms of COVID-19 that are mention above. After that doctor will advise you whether you should stay at home, or go to the hospital.
Treatments for Covid-19
Different vaccines and treatments are currently under study. But at the moment there is no specific treatment or cure is approve for Covid-19. However, different treatments are using that focuses on managing the symptoms of the patients.
Talk to your doctor if you feel symptoms of COVID-19. Your doctor will recommend treatment for these symptoms.
Therapies are also use as a treatment of symptoms. Such as
- Blood plasma transfusions
- Antiviral or retroviral medications
- Mechanical ventilation for breathing support
- Steroids to reduce lung swelling
Prevention tips
- Avoid or limit contact with people who have Covid-19 symptoms or any respiratory infection.
- Practice good hygiene to prevent bacteria and viruses.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 to 25 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Don’t go out if you’re sick or have any flu symptoms.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Properly wear a mask and also cover your mouth with a tissue.
In the end, don’t panic and stay calm. Also follow your doctor’s instructions if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19. So you can recover from it and it will also help you to prevent it from being transmitted.
